Subpurlin and attachment assembly

Abstract

A subpurlin (10) is provided for a building assembly having a plurality of overhead structural members (50), an insulating layer (62) and a plurality of overlapping roof panels (56). The subpurlins (10) support and space the roof panels (56) without compressing the insulating layer (62). Connector assemblies (30) secure the subpurlins (10) on the structural members (50) while permitting differential thermal movements between the roof panels (56) and the structural members (50). The connector assemblies (30) have ferrules (32) which slidingly engage slots (16) in the subpurlins (10). Washers (34) are fastened to the structural members (50) through the ferrules (32) during subpurlin (10) installation.

What is claimed is: 
     
       1. A unitary slider assembly for interconnecting a subpurlin having an elongate slot therein and a roof structural assembly, comprising: a member defining a sliding surface for contacting the subpurlin on one side of the subpurlin around the elongated slot, said member further having a ferrule extending from the sliding surface through the elongated slot and an ending beyond the opposite surface of the subpurlin to define a bearing surface; and   said member further having a portion extending therefrom and curved about an edge of the subpurlin to define a washer proximate the bearing surface, said portion being resilient to permit the portion to be deflected so that the washer moves away from the bearing surface to slide the slider assembly over the edge of the subpurlin with the ferrule extending through the elongate slot, said washer and ferrule having an aperture formed therethrough for receiving a fastener to fasten the subpurlin to the roof structural assembly so that the subpurlin can slide relative to the slider and roof structural assembly along the direction of the elongated slot.   
     
     
       2. The unitary slider assembly of claim 1, wherein said member further defines a boss, the boss defining a structural bearing surface spaced from the sliding surface, said structural bearing surface for bearing on the roof structural assembly, the boss spacing the sliding surface from the structural bearing surface to minimize compression of insulation positioned between the unitary slider assembly and the roof structural assembly. 
     
     
       3. The unitary slider assembly of claim 2, wherein the surface area of the structural bearing surface on the boss is substantially less than the surface area of the sliding surface to minimize compression of insulation between the unitary slider assembly and the structural assembly member. 
     
     
       4. The unitary slider assembly of claim 1, wherein the unitary slider assembly is a single piece unit stamped from a sheet. 
     
     
       5. The unitary slider assembly of claim 3, wherein the dimensions of the sliding surface are approximately 31/4" by 11/4" while the dimensions of the structural bearing surface are approximately 5/16" by 11/2", the boss spacing the sliding surface approximately 1/4" away from the structural assembly member.